Christmas and the New Year in Ireland with chauffeurdrive

The old O'Donoghue castle in Killarney known as Ross Castle. This is situated on the the shore at Lough Leane just on the suburbs of the town itself. Do not confuse this with the Ross Lake Hotel as some people think that they will actually bestaying in this castle when they are viewing accommodation choices. This castle does not provide any such accommodation and is owned by the National Heritage Trust. You can however visit the castle and enjoy daily tours which are well worth considering.

A sad reminder of bygone days as this once proud fishing trawler lies beached in the harbour in Dingle.
Another sad sight.....the shell of a Currach (pronounced Curr-----uck), the traditional small fishing boat used by the fishermen on the West Coast of Ireland. All that remains are the frail timber laths which were the frame of the boat which was then covered with canvas and then coated in tar or pitch to waterproof it. They were an extremely light boat and would normally carry two or three men. When properly handled they were ideal for the wild conditions at sea as these boats rode the waves with ease.

A Winters sky over the hills and lakes of Killarney. Ireland is always beautiful regardless of the weather.

Christmas has passed once again, and i did enjoy my time with family and friends. It can be a difficult time for many people and a time when we cannot help but look back at times gone by and the people who are now no longer with us. This is a time when things like the pictures i have included above bring me back to the old days, to many happy times along with some sad memories. Like the old trawler in Dingle, the decaying currach in Connemara, time takes its toll on all of our lives. We cannot help but look on the year gone by without mixed feelings, but we can look forward with hope to the New Year and pray that we will do our best to make it as good as we can for ourselves and for others in the full knowledge that we have all seen tough times in the past, and yet survived.
God is good.

Happy New Year to all my family and dear friends.